Ampicillin is used as a preventive therapy as well as for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections and salmonella infections.
How it works
Ampicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that damages the bacterial cell wall to eliminate the bacteria.
Taking Ampicillin & the right dosage
Ampicillin may be taken with or without a meal.
The extended release pill should not be crushed or chewed. It must be swallowed whole.
Ampicillin must be consumed for the complete prescribed time duration. You may notice that your symptoms may improve before the prescribed duration is over or the infection is cleared. But do not alter the dose or the schedule without consulting your doctor.
Storage
Store Ampicillin in a cool and dark place at room temperature. Do not store it in a place where it can get exposed to direct sunlight or moisture.
Keep it away from children and pets.
Safety Information/ Warning Precautions
Before using Ampicillin, you should consult a physician and discuss about your medical history. If you have allergies to cephalosporin antibiotics like Omnicef or Kelfex, then inform your doctor about it.
Ampicillin may not be suitable for you if:
You have asthma, liver or kidney disease
You are allergic to amoxicillin or to any other penicillin antibiotic
You have blood cell problems like mononucleosis (also called "mono")
If you have a stomach infection or diarrhea
You have recently received or will be receiving live oral typhoid vaccine
Other Information
You may have to undergo frequent blood tests including your kidney and liver functioning while using Ampicillin.
It may also reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. So ensure that you use multiple birth control measures while using Ampicillin.
Drug Interactions
Ampicillin may interact with some medications. So if you are using any prescription, non prescription, OTC medicines or dietary supplements, then inform your physician in advance before you use Ampicillin.
Some of them are:
Tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline)
Probenecid
Allopurinol
Anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin) or methotrexate
Aminoglycosides (eg, gentamicin)
Birth control pills
Live oral typhoid vaccine
Pregnancy Information
Ampicillin is not known to be harmful to an unborn baby. But inform your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or are pregnant during the time of treatment with Ampicillin.
Ampicillin may be passed on to the baby if you are breast feeding. Please speak to your doctor about the potential risks of breast feeding while using Ampicillin.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of Ampicillin are:
Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, vaginal itching or discharge, headache, or swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue.
These side effects usually subside by themselves in sometime as the body gets used to Ampicillin.
Some uncommon but potentially dangerous side effects are:
Diarrhea that is watery or bloody, fever, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing, swollen glands, rash or itching, joint pain, or general ill feeling, pale or yellowed skin, yellowing of the eyes, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness, easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin, or severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
You should see a doctor immediately if one of these side effects occur.
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